HER CRUSH

Chapter56

Zarah...
Aunty Zarah!" a sweet, high-pitched voice rang from the corridor before I even saw her.

I grinned. "Oh, thank you, Allah! My beautiful pumpkin is here!"

Ihsan came running into my arms, her hijab slightly askew. "Aunty Zarah, I missed you so much!" she said in her babyish tone, squeezing me like a little koala.

I laughed, hugging her back. "I missed you too, darling. You're back early from Islamiya today, aren't you?"

"Yes! Uncle A picked me up," and you won't believe what happened! He almost hit me today...and I didn't even do anything!"

I gasped dramatically. "SubhanAllah! He what? Ihsan, what happened?" I scooted to sit properly, already ready for her tale.

She held a hand to her chest, mimicking a TV actress. "Well... Uncle A was driving, and then this guy cut him off. Uncle A got so angry! He honked so loud, Aunty, wallahi my heart jumped. He was like, 'What is wrong with you!' and I was like, 'Uncle A, calm down!'"

I covered my mouth, laughing. "You actually told him to calm down?"

"Yes! I told him, 'Uncle A, don't get high blood pressure o!'" she said, giggling at her own joke. "But he just kept going on and on about how rude the guy was."

I shook my head, picturing it. "Hmm, sounds like Uncle A had a bit of a rough day?"

She leaned in, lowering her voice as if it was a secret. "Yeah, but don't worry, I told him to just put on some nice nasheeds. We listened to my favorite one, the one about Jannah."

I pulled her close, kissing her forehead. "Masha'Allah. You're trying your best to be a good Muslimah, aren't you?"

She nodded, beaming. "Thanks, Aunty Zarah! You always encourage me. You're my best friend!"

My heart softened. "I love you, Ihsan. You're like my little sister."

She puffed up proudly. "And I love you more!

Now come on, , it's almost time for prayer. Let's go for ablution. Remember, no talking while doing it. Say Bismillah first."

She laughed  Yes, Aunty . You're the boss."

A few minutes later, while drying her hands, she whispered, "Aunty Zarah, I'm done. Can I talk now?"

I ruffled her hair. "Yes, you can talk now, Ihsan. You've been so patient."

She stood straighter. "I'm going to be the best prayer leader ever, Aunty Zarah!"

I smiled at her enthusiasm. "Insha'Allah. Let's focus on praying with sincerity first."

We prayed side by side, her small voice reciting softly but clearly. After the final salaam, she turned to me, eyes shining. "Aunty Zarah, was my prayer good?"

"It was beautiful," I said. "You focused well and recited nicely. I'm proud of you."

She grinned. "Can we do some du'a now?"

Together we raised our hands. Ihsan's voice trembled with sincerity as she asked for guidance, protection and blessings. When we finished, she whispered, "I love making du'a. It feels like I'm talking to Allah directly."

I smiled, cupping her cheeks. "That's exactly what du'a is. You're talking to Allah, thanking Him, asking Him. Always keep that habit, okay?"

"Okay!" she chirped. "Mommy's here already," she added, darting off.

"Alright, let's go meet her," I said, following behind.

Inside Ummi's room, the air felt heavier. Abdul stood near the vanity scrolling on his phone. Sufyan sat beside Ummi on the bed; Aunty Rukky and Sufyan's sister occupied the sofa. They all looked mid....discussion.

I greeted softly, "Assalamu alaikum," as I entered.
They all turned their heads.

"Come sit here," Sufyan said warmly, standing to offer me a spot.

I smiled politely. "Thank you," I murmured, settling with Ihsan beside me.

I stayed quiet, only listening. They were debating Ummi's living arrangements after the wedding.

Abdul was suggesting that Abba find a new house for her. Some disagreed, others nodded. I decided to stay out of it.

After Maghrib, I changed into a black abaya, dabbed some powder, and we headed out for dinner. In the car, I quickly sat beside Ummi, avoiding Abdul's gaze. Throughout dinner, I stayed by Ummi's side. Abdul didn't say a single word to me.

When our eyes accidentally met, I gave him a teasing smile and a wink. He only glared back, his jaw tight.

I smothered a laugh.  the dinner went smoothly. Alhamdulillah.

Later, Anty Rukky left with Ihsan. Abdul drove Sufyan's mother; Ummi and I rode with Sufyan.
He kept teasing me in the car. "You know you're looking for trouble, right? Running from Abdul like that?"

I rolled my eyes. "I'm not running. I'm just...
strategically repositioning."

Ummi had to intervene, chuckling. "Sufyan, stop teasing her. You and Abdul share the same mischievous character, wallahi."

I huffed dramatically. "See, even Ummi knows!"

They both laughed. I only crossed my arms and muttered, "Men."

The next morning, I woke up late. It was already 10:00 a.m. My lecture was at 10:30.

I rushed through a shower, dressed quickly, and greeted Ummi and Mommy.

"Wait for Abdul outside," Ummi instructed.

I waited 20 minutes, nervously checking my phone. Just as I was about to call, I heard footsteps.

I looked up. Our eyes met. My heart jumped.

"Good morning," I mumbled, looking away.

"Morning," he said, walking toward me. "How was your night? And how's the baby?"

I stepped back. "Fine. Alhamdulillah."

He chuckled darkly. "Wallahi, better stop running. I'm the one who will drive you, right?" He raised his brows. "Wallahi wallahi...you heard me swear twice now. Tell me, what got into you yesterday?"

"Nothing, I swear. I'm just running late."

He didn't care. He closed the distance. "Zarah..."

I shut my eyes, my heart racing. And then, before I could think, I crashed my lips onto his....